Gardens - all shapes, sizes, colours and scents

Sue's invitation to Jenny G to stay the night was readily accepted.
Sunday 22 September we visited some spectacular prize winning gardens in the morning with Sue and Jenny G, and looked around the (now extended) chapel at Concordia College which Mum's father had helped to build. After another picnic lunch we met Ruth who took us to see (cousin) Flo, and then Auntie Annie and her daughters Ruth and Robyn. That evening Sue's sons Hunter and Flynn came over for dinner, and Sue also kindly invited Ros.

This Grand Champion garden at Vale View was huge

Jenny's cousin had a wonderful floral display around her retirement home

Concordia College chapel

Cousins: Ruth, Florence, Bronwyn

Robin, Ruth V, Auntie Annie, Bronwyn and Ruth H

Next morning on her way to work Sue dropped us off to see Beryl, a tireless charity worker whose handicrafts we admired and a sample of which we happily accepted. Ros promptly collected us to go and view some more gardens; we also drove past Ros' old house and explored mum's old high school (CHSHS) which was hosting an orchid exhibition. During our short visit to Ken and Elsie, who had just celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary, they mentioned remembering looking after me (in 1989)!

Beryl resides in the RSL retirement home, having supported their charity for decades

Jason and Ros and a garden bed featuring orange clivias

Bronwyn with Elsie and Ken in Salem Lutheran Rest Home

We met up with Sue briefly and Alison for lunch in Grand Central, after which we were joined by Ruth and son Josh. Laura made delicious scones for afternoon tea, and Claude regaled us with stories of a visit to Poland with his son at a time when armed guards were frighteningly present on internal flights. Mum was grateful for Sue's ongoing generosity in inviting Ruth and Andreas, Dianne and Brian (unknown to Sue) to dinner - Andreas, Dianne and Mum had been in the same year at secondary school. By now Mum was starting to struggle to keep up with the pace... - there was a lot happening, physically, and especially emotionally.

Allison, Ruth, Joshua and Jason in Grand Central shopping centre

Bronwyn, Ruth, Laura and Claude

Andreas and Ruth, Jason, Bronwyn, Dianne and Brian about to enjoy Sue's lasagna